Conservation Projects

The Wynyard Testimonial The Wynyard Testimonial is a stunning silver Victorian epergne which was recently conserved and is now displayed in Encounter, the New Zealand design and decorative arts gallery.

The Egyptian Mummy The project began in 2001 thanks to a grant received from the Chisholm Whitney Family Charitable Trust. The conservation treatment has included a detailed analysis of the materials used to embalm the body and decorate the sarcophagus, and painstaking stabilisation and repositioning of bandages.

58th Regimental Flag The 58th Rutlandshire Regimental flags date from around 1840 and were brought to New Zealand in 1845 when the Regiment came to fight in the New Zealand land wars. Many of the soldiers chose to stay and settle in New Zealand when the Regiment returned to England in 1858.

The Webster Pipe Organ The pipe organ was made by William Webster from the Hokianga in the 1850’s. Constructed largely from native NZ woods and materials, the organ has a mechanical action and four stops. The organ was required for display in the new Encounter Gallery, as the first pipe organ to be made in New Zealand.